(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-02 16:20

Keen on losing weight this New Year but lacking the desire, money or the time to sign up for a gym membership? Worry not, for University of Michigan Health System experts have devised a sustainable fitness regimen without joining a fitness centre.

Colleen Greene, wellness coordinator with MFit, the University of Michigan Health System's health promotion division, said it is not necessary to invest a lot of money in a gym membership or equipment in order to develop a successful and sustainable fitness regimen.

She said that all those people who desire weight loss or getting in shape should make a resolution to become healthier overall, instead of only focusing on dropping pounds, resulting in broadening of goals.

"Traditionally the number one New Year's resolution is to lose weight, but it should not necessarily only be that. It should be improving your fitness, and losing weight may be part of that," said Greene.

Greene has offered several tips like - purchasing the right equipment, adding creativity to workouts, and keeping motivation up on how to start and stick with a new workout plan, which can help a person start an exercise program around the house that will last.

The first tip is to get a fitness assessment, i.e. an assessment done by a personal trainer, which will help deciding the goals.

She suggested that the person interested in losing weight should purchase equipment that is right for him.

"You want to look at what is exciting to you, what you will do and what to focus on once your assessment has been done. Do you need the cardiovascular exercise? Buy a cardiovascular machine. Do you need some strength training? Purchase a Dyna-band or small hand weights. It depends on what sort of equipment you need and what sort of equipment you are going to use," she said.

Greene advises on being creative, like using a can of soup as a dumbbell. She also said that the outdoors should be embraced. There are many winter activities that people can do outside that can be fun and safe, like snowshoeing, cross country skiing and even going outdoors to play with your children are great ways to integrate exercise into your life during the winter months.

Maintaining a support system would also help in getting in shape. They should find people who they can count on, whether it is an exercise buddy or someone taking care of your responsibilities at home or on the job.

In order to make a workout plan successful, a person must realize that pounds won't come off that easily.

Greene said that the most important thing is simply making sure you take the time to do it.

"Just like any meeting or any event, schedule exercise in. It's your time, and you are worth it," she said.